DOUBLE Olympian and World ranked high jumper Levern Spencer and West Indies cricket all – rounder and T20 captain Darren Sammy were on Saturday evening named St.Lucia’s senior sportswoman and sportsman for the year at the 35th annual sports awards ceremony that was held at the Sandals Grande Hotel in Gros Islet.
Spencer who is presently based in the USA and Sammy currently with the senior West Indies team that is competing at the ICC World Cup in Australia / New Zealand started as favourites on the judges’ score sheets in their respective categories and in the process went on to win a combined 20 titles between them.
This is the twelfth sportswoman title for Spencer, having not won in 2003, 2004 and 2013. Spencer was on hand to collect her award. For Sammy it was his eighth time capturing the award. His son Darren Sammy Jr proudly collected on his behalf.
The junior sportsman and junior sportswoman for 2014 came from the sport of Tennis – Adriel Bousquet, and Sailing – Stephanie Lovell Devaux.
Other highlights of the evening were the St.Lucia Football Association capturing the the title of Association of the Year. Club of the Year went to the Lightling Aquatic, Best Sporting District – Micoud. Also recognized for long service and life time achievement – Arnold Clouden, Reginald Cherubin and Alicia John and Posthumous, Hermina Dubois.
National winning teams for 2014 were specially recognized – The Track and Field team for winning the OECS Championship; Under -15 cricket team for winning the Windward Island tournament; the Under – 23 netball team for winning the OECS Championship; the swimming team for winning the OECS Championships; the senior men’s football team for winning the Windward Islands tournament, the Junior female Volleyball team for wining the ECVA Championships; the senior men’s Volleyball team for winning the ECVA Championships, the senior female Volleyball team for winning the ECVA Championships, and the Under – 23 netball team for capturing the Team of the Year title .
In other awards presented, Best Community Coach went to Macrina Fanis – Micoud, Administrator of the Year to Gibeon Ferdinand – Micoud; Technical Official – Kentis Ferdinand – Micoud; Best Sporting District – Micoud; Official of the Year – Leo Clarke of Dennery; Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award – Anfernee Ferdinand; Best Kept Playing Facility – The Grande Riviere Playing Field (Mabouya Valley / La Ressource), Community Club of the year – Challengers of Soufriere; Community Athlete of the Year – Anthony Ferdinand of Micoud.
In school awards – Physical Education Teacher of the Year – Emily Edward (Primary) and Mary Ann Montoute – (Secondary); Outstanding School of the Year- St.Joseph’s Convent; student Athlete of the Year – Ryi Maryat of Micoud Secondary; School of the Year tied between St. Joseph Convent and Vieux Fort Comprehensive.
Administrator of the Year was Joyce Huxley (Swimming); Coach of the Year – Chris Wells (Table Tennis), while special recognition went to Chris Charlery for his sterling contribution to Special Olympics, along with athletes Neville Darcy and Cheryl Louisy.
The Best Media House went to The VOICE Publishing Company, while a number of sponsors were also recognized for their outstanding contributions.
